Refrigeration system cleaner



Jan. 3, 1967 c. B. WILLIAMS, JR

I REFRIGERATION SYSTEM CLEANER Filed Oct. 18, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 62426/1/65 5. MAAMMJ, (/e

Jam 1967 c. B. WILLIAMS, JR 3,

REFRIGERATION SYSTEM CLEANER Filed 00?,- 18, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZZWM 4r roe KEYS,

United, States Patent O i 3,295,538 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM CLEANER Clarence B. Williams, Jr., 2009 Broad St.,

Tallahassee, Fla. 32301 Filed Oct. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 317,369 8 Claims. (Cl. 134-111) This invention relates to a novel cleaner for refrigeration and air conditioning systems, and the like.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a more eflicient, more easily used, and more economical device of the kind indicated, which involves the pressure circulation of cleaning fluid through the system to be cleaned, and the return of the solution so used into the device, until contaminated and required to be replaced in the device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character indicated above, which is especially designed for the cleaning of refrigeration systems wherein the electric compressor thereof has burned out, in order to prevent the corrosion and other damage, chemical and otherwise which accompany the burning or charring of the compressor windings, as a preliminary to replacing the damaged compressor.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character indicated above, which lends itself to be constructed in readily portable forms, so that the devices can be readily transported to the work.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, specific forms of the invention are set forth in detail.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a device of the present invention, partly broken away and in section, utilizing a pressure tank of dry nitrogen or air;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view thereof; and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary View, like FIGURE 1, showing an electric circulating pump instead of a pressure tank.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and first to FIG- URES 1 and 2 thereof, the device therein illustrated comprises a preferably upright pressure and solution reclamation tank 10, supported on a foot 12. A pressure relief valve 14 and a pressure gauge 16 are connected through the top 18 of the tank 10. A pressure inlet pipe'20 extends laterally from the upper part of the sidewall of the tank and terminates in a hose connector nipple (not shown). Connected in the inlet pipe 20 is a manual valve A.

A pressure line 24 emerged from the tank 10, near its lower end, and has, close to the tank, an inverted U-shaped portion 26, in whose first leg 28 is incorporated a manual valve B, and in its second leg 30, a manual valve C. On the second leg 30, above the valve C, is a fitting 32, normally closed by a cap 34. The pressure line 24 extends forwardly alongside of the tank 10, to a drier 36, which has a removable cover 35 and a replaceable cover 37. A manual valve D, in the pressure line 24, is located close to the drier 36. A pipe 38 emerges from the top of the drier 36 and terminates in a hose connecting nipple 40, and a manual valve E is incorporated in the pipe 38.

A flexible hose 42 is adapted to be connected, at related ends, to the nipple 40, and to one end of a system S to be washed and cleaned. The other end of the system S is adapted to be connected, by means of a flexible hose 44, to the nipple 46 of a pipe 48, which extends from the bottom of a filter 50, containing suitable changeable absorbent fabric filter material 52. The pipe 48 has therein a manual valve F, preceding the filter 50.

The filter 50 is carried by and is in communication with a horizontal pipe 54, which traverses the upper part ICC of the side wall of an erect solution reservoir tank 56, and terminates in a centered downwardly directed spray head 58. A manual valve G is in the pipe 54 between the filter 50 and the spray head 58. A bracket 60, extends between and is fixed to the tank 56 and the drier 36. The tank 56 is supported on legs 62.

On the top of the tank 56 is an open neck 64, closed by a pressure cover 66, held down by wing nuts 68 on bolts 70 rising from the tank. A pressure gauge 72 rises from the top of the tank 56. Drain valves H and I are provided on the bottoms of the tanks 56 and 10, respectively. The drain valve H is at the lower end of a vertical pipe 74 which extends along the rear side of the tank 56, and is connected to the tank 56, by means of a short pipe 76, above the valve H, and entering the tank 56 near its bottom.

At its upper end, the vertical pipe 74 has a rearwardly extending horizontal portion 78, on its upper end, which traverses the sidewall of the tank 10, and terminates in a downwardly extending portion 80, whose open lower end 82 is near the bottom of the tank 10. A liquid sight indicator 84 is incorporated in the vertical pipe 74, and has a transparent face 86, which exposes a rotary impeller 88. The indicator 84 provides convenient means for visually checking not only the flow of fluid, but also the condition or cleanness of the fluid. A horizontal rigid bracket extends between and is fixed to the tanks 56 and 10, and an inverted U-shaped carrying handle 92 has related legs thereof fixed to the facing sides of these tanks.

A pressure tank 94 containing either dry nitrogen or air, has a discharge fitting 96, on its upper end, which incorporates a pressure regulator 98. A flexible hose is utilized to connect the discharge fitting 96 to the nipple of the pressure inlet pipe 21, of the pressure and solution reclamation tank 10, which terminates in a downwardly directed spray head 21.

The tank 10 initially contains Freon 11 (F11), or any other suitable chemical, which can be used over and over without losing its chemical composition. The amount of such fluid in the tank 10 is limited to about three-quarters of the capacity of the tank, but can be affected by the capacities of the tank 10 and the tank 56.

In use and operation, for a cleaning operation, the valves A, B, C, D, E, F, G are opened, the cap 34 being in place on the pressure pipe fitting 32, and the drain valves H and I remain closed. The pressure from the pressure tank 94 then produces pressure on the fluid and any air in the tank 10 is forced to flow out of the tank 10, through the pressure line 24, to and through the drier 36 to and through the system S, through the filter '50, and into the top of the tank 56, through the spray head 58. The level of the cleaning solution 102, in the tank 56, is as shown in FIGURE 1, below the midheight of the tank 56.

The cleaning solution 102 is then forced out of the tank 56 through the vertical pipe 74, the sight indicator 84, and through a one-way check valve 104, incorporated in the horizontal pipe 78, and into the lower part of the tank 10, from the lower end 82 of the pipe 80. This circulation of the cleaning fluid continues as long as desired.

To reclaim all of the cleaning solution 102 into the reclamation tank 10. the valves A and B are closed, valve C o ened, the cap 34 is removed from the fitting 32. and the hose 20 from the pressure tank 94, is applied to the fitting 32.

In the alternate form of the invention. shown in FIG- URE 6, an electric circulating pump 106 is connected in the line 24. The pump 106 has intake and discharge pipes 198 and 110, which are coupled, as indicated at 112 and 114, respectively to the endsof a break in the pressure line 24. In operation, the valves A, B, and C are closed, and the cap 34 remains in place until a reclamation operation is to be initiated, at which time valves A and B are closed. When the pump 106 is in operation, the valve A is out of the circuit but valves B and C open. Otherwise, the operation is the same as for the device of FIGURES l and 2.

Although there have been shown and described preferred forms of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily confined thereto, and that any change or changes in the structure of and in the relative arrangements of components thereof are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a pressure and solution reclaiming tank, a cleaning solution tank adapted to contain cleaning solution, a pressure line extending from the reclamation tank, a drier in communication with the pressure line and having an outlet pipe adapted to be connected to one end of a system to be cleaned, a filter having an inlet pipe adapted to be connected to the other end of the system to be cleaned, said filter having an outlet pipe entering the upper part of the solution tank on a level above the solution therein and terminating in a downwardly facing spray head, a vertical pipe connected at its lower end to the lower part of the solution tank below the solution level therein, said vertical pipe being connected at its upper end to a horizontal pipe portion entering the upper part of the reclamation tank and terminating in a down pipe having an open lower end near the bottom of the reclamation tank, and a source of pressure operatively connected to the pressure line.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a pressure and solution reclaiming tank, a cleaning solution tank adapted to contain cleaning solution, a pressure line extending from the reclamation tank, a drier in communication with the pressure line and having an outlet pipe adapted to be connected to one end of a system to be cleaned, a filter having an inlet pipe adapted to be connected to the other end of the system to be cleaned, said filter having an outlet pipe entering the upper part of the solution tank on a level above the solution therein andterminating in a downwardly facing spray head, a vertical pipe connected at its lower end to the lower part of the solution tank below the solution lever therein, said vertical pipe being connected at its upper end to a horizontal pipe portion entering the upper part of the reclamation tank and terminating in a down pipe having an open lower end near the bottom of the reclamation talk, and a source of pressure operatively connected to the pressure line, said reclamation tank having a pressure inlet pipe entering the upper part thereof and terminating in a downwardly facing spray head.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a pressure and solution reclaiming tank, a cleaning solution tank adapted to contain cleaning solution, a pressure line extending from the reclamation tank, a drier in communication with the pressure line and having an outlet pipe adapted to be connected to one end of a system to be cleaned, a filter having an inlet pipe adapted to be connected to the other end of the system to be cleaned, said filter. having an outlet pipe entering the upper part of the solution tank on a level above the solution therein and terminating in a downwardly facing spray head, a vertical pipe connected at its lower end to the lower part of the solution tank below the solution level therein, said vertical pipe being connected at its upper end to a horizontal pipe portion entering the upper part of the reclamation tank and terminating in a down pipe having an open lower end near the bottom of the reclamation tank, and a source of pressure operatively connected to the pressure line, said reclamation tank having a pressure inlet pipe entering the upper part thereof and terminatingin a downwardly facing spray head, said pressure source comprising a pressure tank having a discharge fitting connected to the pressure inlet pipe and containing a pressure regulator.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a pressure and solution reclaiming tank, a cleaning solution tank adapted to contain cleaning solution, a pressure line extending from the reclamation tank, a drier in communication with the pressure line and having an outlet pipe adapted to be connected to one end of a system to be cleaned, a filter having an inlet pipe adapted to be connected to the other end of the system to be cleaned, said filter having an outlet pipe entering the upper part of the solution tank on a level above the solution therein and terminating in a downwardly facing spray head, a vertical pipe connected at its lower end to the lower part of the solution tank below the solution level therein, said vertical pipe being connected at its upper end to a horizontal pipe portion entering the upper part of the reclamation tank and terminating in a down pipe having an open lower end near the bottom of the reclamation tank, and a source of pressure operatively connected to the pressure line, said reclamation tank having a pressure inlet pipe entering the upper part thereof and terminating in a downwardly facing spray head, said pressure source comprising a pressure tank having a discharge fitting connected to the pressure inlet pipe and containing a pressure regulator, said pres,- sure line having a fitting, a cap normally engaged and closing the fitting, the discharge fitting of the pressure tank being adapted to be connected to said fitting :with the cap thereof removed for producing a reverse flow of fluid through the device. 7

5. A device of the character described, comprising a pressure and solution reclaiming tank, a cleaning solution tank adapted to contain cleaning solution, a pressure line extending from the reclamation tank, a drier in communication with the pressure line and having an outlet pipe adapted to be connected to one end of a system to be cleaned, a filter having an inlet pipe adapted to be connected to the other end of the system to be cleaned, said filter having an outlet pipe entering the upper part of the solution tank on a level above the solution therein and terminating in a downwardly facing spray head, a vertical pipe connected at its lower end to the lower part of the solution tank below the solution level therein, said, vertical pipe being connected at its upper end to a horizontal pipe portion entering the upper part of the reclamation tank and terminating in a down pipe having an open lower end near the bottom of the reclamation tank, and a source of pressure operatively connected to the pressure line, said pressure line having a fitting, a cap normally closing said fitting, said pressure source com extending from the reclamation tank, a drier in com-- munication with the pressure line and having an outlet pipe adapted to be connected to one endof a system to be cleaned, a filter having an inlet pipe adapted to be connected to the other end of the system to be cleaned, said filter having an outlet pipe entering the upper part of the solution tank on a :levelabove the solution therein and terminating in a downwardly facing spray head, a vertical pipe connected at its lower end to the lower part of the solution tank below the solution level therein, said vertical pipe being connected at its upper end to a horizontal pipe portion entering the upper part of the reclamation tank and terminating in a down pipe'having an open lower end near the bottom of the reclamation tank, and a source of pressure operatively connected to the pressure line, said pressure line having a fitting normally closed by a cap, first and second manual valves on said pressure pipe at opposite sides of the fitting, a third manual valve in the pressure line between the second valve and the drier, a fourth manual valve in the outlet pipe of the drier, a fifth trnanual valve in the outlet pipe of the filter, a one-way check valve in the horizontal portion of the vertical pipe, and a solution flow sight indicator incorporated in the vertical pipe between the solution tank and said check valve.

7. A device of the character described, com-prising a pressure and solution reclaiming tank, a cleaning solution tank adapted to contain cleaning solution, a pressure line extending from the reclamation tank, a drier in communication with the pressure line and having an outlet pipe adapted to be connected to one end of a system to be cleaned, a filter having an inlet pipe adapted to be conuected to the other end of the system to be cleaned, said filter having an outlet pipe entering the upper part of the solution tank on a level above the solution therein and terminating in a downwardly facing spray head, a vertical pipe connected at its lower end to the lower part of the solution tank below the solution level therein, said vertical pipe being connected at its upper end to a horizontal pipe portion entering the upper part of the reclamation tank and terminating in a down pipe having an open lower end near the bottom of the reclamation tank, and a source of pressure operatively connected to the pressure line, said pressure line having a fitting normally closed by a cap, first and second manual valves on said pressure pipe at opposite sides of the fitting, a third manual valve in the pressure line between the second valve and the drier, a fourth manual valve in the outlet pipe of the drier, a fifth manual valve in the outlet pipe of the filter, a one-way check valve in the horizontal portion of the vertical pipe, and a solution flow sight indicator incorporated in the vertical pipe between the solution tank and said check valve, said reclamation tank having a pressure inlet pipe terminating in a downwardly facing spray head in the upper part of the reclamation tank, said pressure inlet pipe having a sixth valve incorporated therein.

8. A device of the character described, comprising a pressure and solution reclaiming tank, a cleaning solution tank adapted to contain cleaning solution, a pressure line extending from the reclamation tank, a drier in communication with the pressure line and having an outlet pipe adapted to be connected to one end of a system to be cleaned, a filter having an inlet pipe adapted to be connected to the other end of the system to be cleaned, said filter having an outlet pipe entering the upper part of the solution tank on a level above the solution therein and terminating in a downwardly facing spray head, a vertical pipe connected at its lower end to the lower part of the solution tank below the solution level therein, said vertical pipe being connected at its upper end to a horizontal pipe portion entering the upper part of the reclamation tank and terminating in a down pipe having an open lower end near the bottom of the reclamation tank, and'a source of pressure operatively connected to the pressure line, said pressure line having a fitting normally closed by a cap, first and second manual valves on said pressure pipe at opposite sides of the battery, a third manual valve in the pressure line between the second valve and the drier, a fourth manual valve in the outlet pipe of the drier, a fifth manual valve in the outlet pipe of the filter, a oneway check valve in the horizontal portion of the vertical pipe, and a solution flow sight indicator incorporated in the vertical pipe between the solution tank and said check valve, and first brackets extending between and supportably connecting the reclamation tank to the solution tank and connecting the drier to the solution tank, and a handle extending between and connected to the solution tank and the reclamation tank.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1943 Gray 1341ll 5/1958 Wogan 134--111 X 

1. A DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING A PRESSURE AND SOLUTION RECLAIMING TANK, A CLEANING SOLUTION TANK ADAPTED TO CONTAIN CLEANING SOLUTION, A PRESSURE LINE EXTENDING FROM THE RECLAMATION TANK, A DRIER IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE PRESSURE LINE AND HAVING AN OUTLET PIPE ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO ONE END OF A SYSTEM TO BE CLEANED, A FILTER HAVING AN INLET PIPE ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO THE OTHER END OF THE SYSTEM TO BE CLEANED, SAID FILTER HAVING AN OUTLET PIPE ENTERING THE UPPER PART OF THE SOLUTION TANK ON A LEVEL ABOVE THE SOLUTION THEREIN AND TERMINATING IN A DOWNWARDLY FACING SPRAY HEAD, A VERTICAL PIPE CONNECTED AT ITS LOWER END TO THE LOWER PART OF THE SOLUTION TANK BELOW THE SOLUTION LEVEL THEREIN, SAID VERTICAL PIPE BEING CONNECTED AT ITS UPPER END TO A HORIZONTAL PIPE PORTION ENTERING THE UPPER PART OF THE RECLAMATION TANK AND TERMINATING IN A DOWN PIPE HAVING AN OPEN LOWER END NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE RECLAMATION TANK, AND A SOURCE OF PRESSURE OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE PRESSURE LINE. 